‘Cats Win Three, Lose One Game

January 9, 2013

Kennedy Cain netted a game-high 19 points and pulled down seven rebounds to host lead Paden City to a 56-40 victory over Bellaire St. John Jan. 5 to avenge an earlier defeat (Dec. 31 in Bellaire).

The Wildcats took a one-point lead after one period of play and extended it to 37-23 at the half, before St John put on a mini 10-4 run in the third period to inch a little closer with a period to go.

However, the Wildcats wouldn't stand for another bad period and sent their cross-river visitors home packing.

Cain led all scorers with 19 points, while Luke Cooper contributed 14 points and muscled in six rebounds. Zach Heasley earned a double-double - 11 points and 10 rebounds - that included three trifectas, while Craig Allen came off the bench to deliver eight markers. In addition, Brandon Cross added a deuce, while Drew Bidwell grabbed six boards and tickled the twine on a nice jumper.

Paden City 65, East Richland 26

The Wildcats raced out to a 41-12 halftime advantage over East Richland Jan. 4 and never looked back in swamping the visitors 65-25 Jan. 4 in Bob Burton Gymnasium.

Cain and Heasley each recorded double-doubles, with Cain leading the way with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Heasley contributed 17 points and pulled down 10 off the glass.

In addition, Cooper chipped in with a dozen markers and had a team-high three steals. Bidwell added six points and dished out three assists, while Cross tallied five markers and made a pair of steals. Kane Pyles followed with two markers, while Allen swished a charity toss.

The Wildcats will do battle with Bishop Donahue Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in McMechen.

Paden City 54, Williamstown 52

Paden City's lone senior, Drew Bidwell, found a racing Brandon Cross wide open for the game's winning basket, as the Wildcats clawed their way back from a large deficit to open the new year with a hard-fought 54-52 victory over the Williamstown Yellowjackets inside the Wildcats' Bob Burton Gymnasium Jan. 2.

After losing its last two games in 2012, the 'Cats were wanting to start the new year off on the right track. They indeed did, taking a 7-1 lead to open the game before the red-hot Yellowjackets went on a sizzling 32-12 run. However, Zach Heasley lifted up a buzzer-beater at the end of the first half of action.

Trailing 33-22, the Wildcats opened the second half of play the same as they opened the game - with a nice 15-4 run to knot the game at 37 on a Heasley snowbird at the end of the third period.

Heasley tickled the twine from three-point range to give his team the lead. The Wildcats would stretch their advantage to six points before the 'Jackets nailed a three pointer.

Williamstown tied the game at 52 before Bidwell hooked up with Cross on the game-winner.

Luke Cooper paced the Wildcats with 17 markers, seven rebounds, and a pair of steals, while Heasley netted 16 points, pulled down nine boards, and made four assists.